Former skipper Zaheer Abbas is amazed that Pakistan's cricket bosses didn't give importance to coach Geoff Lawson's warning of players being hounded by bookies

Zaheer Abbas amazed that PCB's ignored Geaff Lawson's warnings

Former skipper Zaheer Abbas is amazed that Pakistan's cricket bosses didn't give importance to coach Geoff Lawson's warning of players being hounded by bookies

Geoff Lawson may have spent only 15 months with the Pakistan cricket team, but the Aussie gained some incredible insights during his tenure as coach.

The former fast bowler had raised concerns over the possibility of bookies threatening players to fix matches.

If these allegations of fixing are proved, it could be related to extortion, threats, and the well-being of their own family members.

It would not surprise me if illegal bookmakers have told players that if they do not perform X and Y, their families will be kidnapped or harmed," Lawson wrote in his column for Sydney Morning Herald newspaper during the spot fixing saga involving Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif.

As it turns out, wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider leaves the team before the fifth one-dayer against South Africa in Dubai and lands in London. Later, he is quoted as saying that he has decided to quit cricket because there is too much pressure from bookies.

Former Pakistan skipper Zaheer Abbas felt the Haider incident could have been avoided had the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) acted swiftly on Lawson's comment "It is a very serious issue.

Former Pakistan coach, Geoff Lawson

It means that players don't want to fix matches ufffd they are forced to do it," Zaheer told MiD DAY from across the border.

The Pakistan selectors decided to replace Haider with uncapped youngster Adnan Akmal, the younger brother of regular 'keeper Kamran for the two-match Test series against Proteas starting November 14.

Zaheer backed Haider's decision to leave Dubai. "He did the right thing. The country was like his mother and he did not want to sell his mother for some money," he said.

However, the batting great didn't support the view that Pakistan should take a break from international cricket in the wake of these controversies. "That is not the solution. Also, the ICC does not allow you to take a break from its fixtures," he said.

"There are not many sports left for Pakistanis because of so many problems (terror attacks and political issues). If cricket is also stopped, then these youngsters might fall for evil things. Cricket is at least keeping them busy,"u00a0 Zaheer signed off.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels